Baton Rouge - LSU freshman centerfielder Chris Sciambra is out for the season but with a prognosis of 100 percent recovery after suffering a frightening neck injury in Sunday's 4-3 victory at Auburn.

Sciambra has two non-displaced fractures in the C1 vertebra in his neck and a concussion after attempting a diving catch on a ball hit into the left center field gap in the seventh inning, his father, Jay Sciambra, said. He added there was no damage to the spinal cord or any other neurological issues.

The elder Sciambra said his son is resting at his Baton Rouge home and will be in a neck brace for 12 weeks, followed by a stretch of rehabilitation. But he said he feels "unbelievably fortunate" the injury wasn't much worse.

"He's the most lucky kid," the elder Scimabra said. "He's in good spirits. We could be having such a different conversation today. The prognosis is for 100 percent recovery."

The younger Sciambra attempted a diving catch in left center field and his head collided with the base of the outfield wall at the same time as his body hit the ground. His body went heels over head before crumpling to the ground.

Scimabra was first diagnosed with a concussion and walked off the field with help. The fractures were discovered by Dr. Michael Goodlett, the Auburn team physician, after further examinations, which included a CT scan, an MRI and X-rays.

Jay Sciambra praised Auburn's medical staff and Athletic Director Jay Jacobs for "treating him like their own." Goodlett delcared Sciambra in stable condition but said it wouldn't be a good idea for him to ride home in a car or bus. Jacobs authorized the use of an Auburn University Lear jet, Jay Scimabra said.

Because it would have been an NCAA violation, Jay Scimabra was not allowed to fly home with his son, but Goodlett accompanied him on the flight. They met Chris Sciambra's mother, Ellen, and LSU team physician Dr. Henry Eiserloh at Alex Box Stadium Sunday night. Sciambra is resting and recovering at home.

Sciambra started the season on the bench but won a starting centerfield job and started 16 of 22 games in which he played. He was batting .246 with 11 RBI when he was injured. LSU Coach Paul Mainieri said he spoke the Sciambra Monday morning and hoped he could come to Alex Box Stadium and visit his teammates later in the week.

"It's such a tough thing to see a kid that's such a wonderful human being go through this," Mainieri said. "On one hand you're devestated this happened and on the other you're happy it wasn't worse. He's walking and using his limbs. There doesn't appear to be any damage to his spinal column. That's the most important thing to me."

"Our hope is he will be back next year. He won't be able to play this summer, maybe late in the summer if everything goes great."

Mainieri said he is considering severl options for replacing Sciambra in the lineup. One is moving second baseman JaCoby Jones back to centerfield and inserting Casey Yocom at second, which is how LSU started the season. Mainieri also said he might try is to use Mason Katz in center field and Grant Dozar at first, or Jared Foster in center field.

LSU's next game is Wednesday when the Tigers play host to Louisiana-Lafayette.

GAME ADDED: LSU has scheduled a home game with Louisiana College for April 3 to make up for the Michigan game rained out on March 12. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m.